Severe drought across sub-Saharan Africa has led to widespread crop failure and starvation, prompting some countries to loosen their grip on the ban of GMOs. Kenya is among the latest.

In 2012, the East African nation outlawed the importing and planting of GMOs, mainly in response to health concerns. Soon, however, Kenya may reintroduce the cultivation of GMO corn and cotton, according to an AFKInsider report.

If the ban is indeed lifted, Kenya will become the fourth country to allow the cultivation of GMO crops (after South Africa, Burkina Faso and Sudan). Other countries are also following suit.

Zambia rejected genetically modified corn during a drought in 2002 that left millions in need of food aid. Last December, it was cited the country most likely to soon embrace GMOs.

Ethiopia also changed its biosafety laws to allow testing on genetically modified corn after receiving pressure from the textile industry. Meanwhile Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria, Swaziland and Uganda have already completed trials on various GM crops.

19 January 2016
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